Vorgard

Vorgard (or Vorgarð), known as the bread basket of Tor, is a farming town in the north-eastern part of the West Marches. It lies between the Ironwood and the Svartelm. It is the last point of civilization before the Black Forest.

It is currently an asset of Clan Torvaar and overseen by Yóla Torvaarsdóttir.

Description
Several towers constructed of sturdy wood dot the ashen stone reinforced pallisade walls around the heart of Vorgard. Inside its defenses are dozens of buildings great and small, many of which remain vacant during spring, summer and most of autumn, but which quickly fill up when the cold of winter arrives.

At its center is a rather large garden, and overlooked from a hill, a great hall of feasting and revelry, where the local chieftain oversees the matters of the free people of the West Marches.

History
Once a small hamlet said to be the birthplace of Torva Green-Hand. Under her reign after the formation of Clan Torvaar, it became a proper village with walls and defenses.

Vorgarde was properly rebuilt after the Shattering as a group known as the Bóndi, a coalition of farmer-warriors, became dedicated to the defense of the farmsteads around Vorgard and the West Marches.

Today, the Bóndi are less warriors and more a merchants guild facilitating mercenary hires to defend Vorgard and the farms of the West Marches.

Eyir's Honor
The Heart Tree of Vorgard stands in the main garden square. It is known as Eyir's Honor, named after the goddess of spring. It is a tall and broad elm tree, with a thick canopy that makes for plenty of shade over the small pond surrounding its roots.

Multitudes of ribbons of different colors adorn the branches, bells and charms swing softly in the wind. A kind face with soft expressions is carved into its bark, facing out towards the farms and fields beyond the town walls.

It is overseen by Gála Torvaarsdóttir, the priestess of Vorgard.

Eyir's Honor also held within it a broken blade, which was freed by a man named Góral, and then recovered by an unnamed party of adventurers.

Free Man's Rest
Free Man's Rest is a mead house that mainly serves a clientele of mercenaries and adventurers for a bit of coin. It is a large longhouse for revelry and sleeping, as well as having two smaller, sectioned off rooms at either end.

It is owned by a member of the Bóndi, Saevar Hrafkasson. As such, notes on possible mercenary jobs are scribbled on a wooden board in charcoal.

Vorgenholt
Vorgenholt is the main fortress of Vorgarde located on a hill on the northern side of town, surrounded by wooden pallisades reinforced by steel. The great hall is built on a foundation of ancient stone pulled from various ruins and quarries around Vorgarde.

It is currently the seat of chieftain Yóla Torvaarsdóttir of Vorgard.

Society
When the winds of winter reach Tor, many farmers seek refuge from the elements and monsters of the dark in fortified towns. While some prefer the walls of the ancient fortress-city of Torrin, some seek out Vorgard in similar fashion, abandoning their farms while winter lasts. This leads to many residences of Vorgard itself being empty for the spring and summer months.